著者

Yong LI Man-Li ZHANG Bin CONG Si-Ming WANG Mei DONG Françoise SAURIOL Chang-Hong HUO Qing-Wen SHI Yu-Cheng GU Hiromasa KIYOTA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.75, no.8, pp.1554-1556, 2011-08-23 (Released:2011-08-23)

参考文献数

27

被引用文献数

27 13

---

Achillinin A (2β,3β-epoxy-1α,4β,10α-trihydroxyguai-11(13)-en-12,6α-olide, 1), a new guaianolide isolated from the flower of Achillea millefolium, exhibited potential antiproliferative activity to A549, RERF-LC-kj and QG-90 cells with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 5.8, 10 and 0.31 μM, respectively.

著者

Yoshinori TSUKAMOTO Makoto KASAI Hiroyuki KAKUDA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.65, no.9, pp.2007-2015, 2001 (Released:2002-08-30)

参考文献数

31

被引用文献数

58

---

To invent a functional natto promoting bone formation, the construction of a strain with high productivity of vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7: MK-7), which is important in the carboxylation of a kind of bone protein participating in bone formation, osteocalcin, was investigated. To screen for a strain appropriate to making natto (a Japanese traditional fermented soybean food) with high productivity of MK-7, a combination of analog resistance to the compounds on the biosynthetic pathway of menaquinones with mutation was done. Consequently, strain OUV23481, with 2-fold higher productivity (1,719 μg/100 g natto) of MK-7 than that of a commercial strain, was constructed as a mutant with analog resistance to 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA), p-fluoro-D,L-phenylalanine (pFP), m-fluoro-D,L-phenylalanine (mFP), and β-2-thienytalanine (βTA). This strain was classified as Bacillus subtilis (natto). The natto made using this strain was evaluated to have a good quality as natto in all the viewpoints of appearance, flavor, taste, texture, and stringiness.

著者

Tsutomu SATO

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.77, no.6, pp.1155-1159, 2013-06-23 (Released:2013-06-23)

参考文献数

38

被引用文献数

25

---

To the best of my knowledge, only 19 cyclic and 8 linear C35 terpenes have been identified to date, and no family name was assigned to this terpene class until recently. In 2011, it was proposed that these C35 terpenes should be called sesquarterpenes. This review highlights the biosynthesis of two kinds of sesquarterpenes (C35 terpenes) that are produced via cyclization of a linear C35 isoprenoid in Bacillus and Mycobacterium species. In Bacillus species, a new type of terpene cyclase that has no sequence homology with any known terpene synthases, as well as a bifunctional terpene cyclase that biosynthesizes two classes of cyclic terpenes with different numbers of carbons as natural products, have been identified. On the other hand, in Mycobacterium species, the first bifunctional Z-prenyltransferase has been found, but a novel terpene cyclase and a unique polyprenyl reductase remain unidentified. The identification of novel enzyme types should lead to the discovery of many homologous enzymes and their products including novel natural compounds. On the other hand, many enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of natural products have low substrate specificities in vitro. Therefore, to find novel natural products present in organisms, the multifunctionality of enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of natural products should be analyzed.

著者

Sayuri TSURUDA Kouichi AKAKI Hiroshi HIWAKI Akira SUZUKI Hiroshi AKIYAMA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.76, no.7, pp.1343-1349, 2012-07-23 (Released:2012-07-23)

参考文献数

33

被引用文献数

8

---

A rapid multiplex real-time PCR assay was developed to achieve highly specific, simultaneous detection of two kinds of mushrooms, Omphalotus guepiniformis and Lentinula edodes. Primers and TaqMan minor groove binder probes were designed according to the internal transcribed spacers 1-5.8S region of rDNA and evaluated by the specificity for fruiting bodies of 17 O. guepiniformis, 16 L. edodes and samples from 57 other species. DNA extracts of all the target species had positive signals with no cross-reaction, the limit of detection being 0.00025 ng of DNA. Threshold cycle (Ct) values for raw and processed fruiting bodies and for fruiting bodies (1% (w/w)) mixed with foodstuffs or artificial gastric juice contents ranged from 17.16 to 26.60 for both examined species. This new assay proved specific to the target species, highly sensitive, and applicable to processed food samples and gastric juice contents, making it useful for rapidly identifying O. guepiniformis and L. edodes.

著者

Yu ISHIDA Futoshi NAKAMURA Hiroki KANZATO Daisuke SAWADA Naoyuki YAMAMOTO Hiroko KAGATA Masato OH-IDA Haruo TAKEUCHI Shigeru FUJIWARA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.69, no.9, pp.1652-1660, 2005 (Released:2005-09-23)

参考文献数

31

被引用文献数

88

---

A placebo-controlled, single-blind study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-92 (L-92) on the symptoms of Japanese cedar-pollen allergy. This study was carried out during the 2002 and 2003 seasons of Japanese cedar pollination. Twenty-three in-house volunteers were asked to drink 100 ml of heat-treated milk fermented with L-92 containing 5×1010 of the bacteria, twice a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. A similar study was carried out during the 2003 season for 10 weeks, but the daily dose of bacteria was 2×1010. A significant improvement of the ocular symptom-medication score (SMS) was observed in 2002 and of the score of distress of life in 2003. These data show that a daily oral intake of not less than 2×1010 heat-treated L-92 cells improved the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis, thereby contributing to reduce the dose of concomitant medications. However, no blood parameter was significantly affected in these trials.

著者

Takehito MIURA Lan YUAN Buxiang SUN Hajime FUJII Mayumi YOSHIDA Koji WAKAME Ken-ichi KOSUNA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.66, no.12, pp.2626-2631, 2002 (Released:2003-06-25)

参考文献数

21

被引用文献数

80

---

Soybean extracts (SBE) containing isoflavone glycosides were cultured with Ganoderma lucidum mycelia producing β-glucosidase. The anti-angiogenic effects of the cultivated product, containing rich in genistein, named GCP (genistein combined polysaccharide), were assessed with chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) and a mouse dorsal air-sac model. β-Glucosidase produced by the mycelia converted the isoflavone glycosides into aglycons. A test of volunteers showed that serum concentrations of genistein in the subjects treated with GCP (n=4) at 3 h after administration were significantly higher than those in the subjects treated with SBE (n=4). GCP inhibited angiogenesis in CAM, and the activity of GCP was greater than that of SBE. GCP inhibited the formation of new vessels induced by colon carcinoma cells in vivo.

著者

Yoshihisa Tomoda Kenji Umemura Takashi Adachi

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.58, no.1, pp.202-203, 1994-01-23 (Released:2008-02-08)

参考文献数

16

被引用文献数

37 88 80

---

Alginate lyase-lysate (A.L.L., Algin-Oligo(R)), which had been prepared by degrading sodium alginate by alginate lyase, was found to have a growth-promoting effect on the elongation of barley roots, and especially that of the radicle, the effective concentration of A.L.L. for elongation of the roots being 100-3000μg/ml, with no inhibition at the highest concentration. When a radicle was brought into contact with A.L.L., it responded by initiating elongation within 2 to 4h. The elongation rate increased from 2.9mm/h to 5.3mm/h. Treatment with A.L.L. resulted in about a 2-fold increase in the alcohol dehydrogenase activity of the control under hypoxic conditions.

著者

Hiromichi Itoh Hiroaki Okaya Anisur Rahman Khan Shigeyuki Tajima Shigeru Hayakawa Ken Izumori

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.58, no.12, pp.2168-2171, 1994-12-23 (Released:2008-02-08)

参考文献数

11

被引用文献数

41 137

---

A new enzyme, D-tagatose 3-epimerase, was found in Pseudomonas sp. ST-24 during the course of studies on D-sorbose fermentation. This new enzyme catalyzes epimerization of keto-sugars, for example between D-tagatose and D-sorbose, and between D-fructose and D-psicose. It was shown that this enzyme epimerizes the configuration at the C-3 position of these substrates. This epimerase didn't act on D-fructose 6-phosphate and D-ribulose 5-phosphate. The enzyme has been purified from cells grown on a medium containing 1% D-glucose and 0.05% D-tagatose, and it appeared homogeneous on electrophoresis. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 68, 000 by gel filtration and consists of two subunits identical in molecular weight (about 33, 000 by SDS-PAGE). The maximum activity at 30°C was obtained at pH 7-9, and the enzyme was stable from pH 7-11. The optimum temperature was around 60°C, and it was stable up to 60°C for 10 min.

著者

Yoshinori KATAKURA Eriko NAKATA Yukiko TABIRA Takumi MIURA Kiichiro TERUYA Toshie TSUCHIYA Sanetaka SHIRAHATA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.67, no.4, pp.815-821, 2003 (Released:2003-06-28)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

12

---

We have previously reported that transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) triggers two independent senescence programs, 1) replicative senescence dependent upon telomere shortening and 2) premature senescence independent of telomere shortening, in the cell line of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma. In this study, we examined the possibility that cancer cell tumor phenotypes could be suppressed by forced senescence. We used A549 cells treated with TGF-β for a long time (over 50 days), where senescence was induced in a telomere-shortening-dependent or an independent way. Fully senescent A549 cells were elongated, acquired contact inhibition capabilities when reaching confluence, and secreted the senescence-associated cytokine IL-6. Furthermore, senescent A549 cells had no tumorigenicity in nude mice. These results indicate that the forced induction of senescence in cancer cells may be a novel and potentially powerful method for advancing anti-cancer therapy.

著者

Keizo KOHNO Iwao OKAMOTO Osamu SANO Norie ARAI Kanso IWAKI Masao IKEDA Masashi KURIMOTO

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.68, no.1, pp.138-145, 2004 (Released:2004-01-24)

参考文献数

27

被引用文献数

181

---

In this study, we have examined the anti-inflammatory actions of royal jelly (RJ) at a cytokine level. When supernatants of RJ suspensions were added to a culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and IFN-γ, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1, was efficiently inhibited in a dose-dependent manner without having cytotoxic effects on macrophages. This suggests that RJ contains factor(s) responsible for the suppression of proinflammatory cytokine secretion. We named the factor for honeybees RJ-derived anti-inflammatory factor (HBRJ-AIF), and further investigated the molecular aspects of it. Size fractionation study showed that HBRJ-AIF is composed of substances of low (<5 kDa) and high (>30 kDa) molecular weights, with the former being a major component. Chromatographic analysis showed that MRJP3 is one candidate for the HBRJ-AIF with high molecular weights. Thus, our results suggest that RJ has anti-inflammatory actions through inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production by activated macrophages.

著者

Jong Ho PARK Younghoon KIM Sae Hun KIM

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.76, no.12, pp.2294-2300, 2012-12-23 (Released:2012-12-23)

参考文献数

33

被引用文献数

26

---

Here, the impact of an extract derived from green tea (Camellia sinensis) and fermentation with Lactobacilli fermentum strain OCS19 was explored with acute alcohol-induced liver damage. The study employed the HepG2 hepatic cell line and an in vivo murine model of liver damage. L. fermentum-fermented green tea extract (FGTE) was found to possess pronounced alcohol metabolizing enzyme activity. It significantly enhanced the cell viability of HepG2 cells following of them exposure, to ethanol (p<0.05) as compared with an extract derived from Hovenia dulcis, a positive control that is known for its action as an alcohol antagonist. Our in vivo studies indicated that prior administration of FGTE to alcohol-exposed mice significantly prevented subsequent increases in blood alcohol concentration (p<0.05), in addition to the induction of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglycerides (p<0.05). Furthermore, the activity of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and its mRNA expression level both increased in the livers of mice treated with FGTE, similarly to the H. dulcis-treated group. Taken together, these results may suggest that green tea extract coupled with L. fermentum fermentation attenuates the risk of ethanol-induced liver damage.

著者

Ozlem OZSOY-SACAN Omür KARABULUT-BULAN Sehnaz BOLKENT Refiye YANARDAG Yasemin OZGEY

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.68, no.8, pp.1640-1648, 2004 (Released:2004-08-23)

参考文献数

51

被引用文献数

30

---

Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var cicla) is one of the medicinal herbs used by diabetics in Turkey. It has been reported to reduce blood glucose. We have investigated the effect of chard extracts on the liver by biochemical and morphological investigation. The plant extract was administered by the gavage technique to rats at a dose of 2 g/kg every d for 28 d, 14 d after experimental animals were made diabetic. In the diabetic group, some degenerative changes were observed by light and electron microscope examination, but degenerative changes decreased or were not observed in the diabetic group given chard. In the diabetic group, blood glucose levels, serum alanine, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase activities, total lipids, sialic and uric acid levels, liver lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nonenzymatic glycosylation (NEG) levels increased, while blood glutathione, body weight, and liver glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. The diabetic group given chard, serum alanine, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase activities, total lipid level, sialic and uric acid levels, blood glucose levels, and liver LPO and NEG levels decreased, but the other values increased. As a result of all the morphological and biochemical findings obtained, it was concluded that the extract of this plant has a protective effect on the liver in diabetes mellitus.

著者

Tetsuya GOSHIMA Masaharu TSUJI Hiroyuki INOUE Shinichi YANO Tamotsu HOSHINO Akinori MATSUSHIKA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.77, no.7, pp.1505-1510, 2013-07-23 (Released:2013-07-23)

参考文献数

20

被引用文献数

61

---

The yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus is considered as a potential alternative to Saccharomyces cerevisiae in producing ethanol as a biofuel. In this study, we investigated the ethanol fermentation properties of novel K. marxianus strain DMB1, isolated from bagasse hydrolysates. This strain utilized sorbitol as well as various pentoses and hexoses as single carbon sources under aerobic conditions and produced ethanol from glucose in hydrolysates of the Japanese cedar at 42 °C. Reference strains K. marxianus NBRC1777 and S. cerevisiae BY4743 did not assimilate sorbitol or ferment lignocellulosic hydrolysates to ethanol at this temperature. Thus strain DMB1 appears to be optimal for producing bioethanol at high temperatures, and might provide a valuable means of increasing the efficiency of ethanol fermentation.

著者

Sangeeta PANDEY Surender SINGH Ajar Nath YADAV Lata NAIN Anil Kumar SAXENA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.77, no.7, pp.1474-1480, 2013-07-23 (Released:2013-07-23)

参考文献数

38

被引用文献数

80

---

A set of 300 bacterial strains isolated from various extreme environments were screened for the presence of cellulase activity on CMC agar plates. Phylogenetic analysis of the positive strain, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolates were clustered within Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. A majority (17) of the isolates were identified as Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and Lysinibacillus sp., and the remaining three were identified as Arthobacter, Rhodococcus, and Bhargavaea cecembensis. Among the 20 positive isolates, 6 were evaluated for the production of cellulases on five different cellulosic substrates. Two isolates, B. cecembensis and Bacillus sp., based on maximum enzyme production on all cellulosic substrates, especially CMC and rice straw, were evaluated in terms of enzyme properties and kinetics. The enzymes of these two isolates are found to be active over broad range of pH and temperature. Such thermostable enzymes facilitate the development of efficient and cost-effective forms of the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process converting lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and value-added products.

著者

Makoto KIMURA Takeshi TOKAI Naoko TAKAHASHI-ANDO Shuichi OHSATO Makoto FUJIMURA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.71, no.9, pp.2105-2123, 2007-09-23 (Released:2007-09-23)

参考文献数

120

被引用文献数

334

---

Trichothecenes are a large family of sesquiterpenoid secondary metabolites of Fusarium species (e.g., F. graminearum) and other molds. They are major mycotoxins that can cause serious problems when consumed via contaminated cereal grains. In the past 20 years, an outline of the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway has been established based on the results of precursor feeding experiments and blocked mutant analyses. Following the isolation of the pathway gene Tri5 encoding the first committed enzyme trichodiene synthase, 10 biosynthesis genes (Tri genes; two regulatory genes, seven pathway genes, and one transporter gene) were functionally identified in the Tri5 gene cluster. At least three pathway genes, Tri101 (separated alone), and Tri1 and Tri16 (located in the Tri1-Tri16 two-gene cluster), were found outside of the Tri5 gene cluster. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the pathways of biosynthesis, the functions of cloned Tri genes, and the evolution of Tri genes, focusing on Fusarium species.

著者

Mika SHIRASU Kouki FUJIOKA Satoshi KAKISHIMA Shunji NAGAI Yasuko TOMIZAWA Hirokazu TSUKAYA Jin MURATA Yoshinobu MANOME Kazushige TOUHARA

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.74, no.12, pp.2550-2554, 2010-12-23 (Released:2010-12-23)

参考文献数

16

被引用文献数

31

---

The titan arum, Amorphophallus titanum, is a flowering plant with the largest inflorescence in the world. The flower emits a unique rotting animal-like odor that attracts insects for pollination. To determine the chemical identity of this characteristic odor, we performed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry analysis of volatiles derived from the inflorescence. The main odorant causing the smell during the flower-opening phase was identified as dimethyl trisulfide, a compound with a sulfury odor that has been found to be emitted from some vegetables, microorganisms, and cancerous wounds.

著者

Jong-Sang KIM Chong-Suk KWON Kun Ho SON

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.64, no.11, pp.2458-2461, 2000 (Released:2005-02-02)

参考文献数

18

被引用文献数

441

---

Twenty-one naturally occurring flavonoids were tested for inhibitory activities against alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) and alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1). Luteolin, amentoflavone, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, and daidzein were the strongest inhibitors among the compounds tested. Luteolin inhibited alpha-glucosidase by 36% at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml and was stronger than acarbose, the most widely prescribed drug, in inhibitory potency, suggesting that it has the possibility to effectively suppress postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Luteolin also inhibited alpha-amylase effectively although it was less potent than acarbose. The clinical value of luteolin needs to be further evaluated.

著者

Chitwadee PHITHAKROTCHANAKOON Verawat CHAMPREDA Sei-ichi AIBA Kusol POOTANAKIT Sutipa TANAPONGPIPAT

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.77, no.6, pp.1262-1268, 2013-06-23 (Released:2013-06-23)

参考文献数

40

被引用文献数

23 8

---

Short-chain-length medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (SCL-MCL PHA) copolymers are promising as bio-plastics with properties ranging from thermoplastics to elastomers. In this study, the hybrid pathway for the biosynthesis of SCL-MCL PHA copolymers was established in recombinant Escherichia coli by co-expression of β-ketothiolase (PhaARe) and NADPH-dependent acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (PhaBRe) from Ralstonia eutropha together with PHA synthases from R. eutropha (PhaCRe), Aeromonas hydrophila (PhaCAh), and Pseudomonas putida (PhaC2Pp) and with (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratases from P. putida (PhaJ1Pp and PhaJ4Pp), and A. hydrophila (PhaJAh). When glycerol supplemented with dodecanoate was used as primary carbon source, E. coli harboring various combinations of PhaABCJ produced SCL-MCL PHA copolymers of various monomer compositions varying from C4 to C10. In addition, polymer property analysis suggested that the copolymers produced from this recombinant source have thermal properties (lower glass transition and melting temperatures) superior to polyhydroxybutyrate homopolymer.

著者

Jeong-Oh YANG Naoya NAKAYAMA Kyohei TODA Shinichi TEBAYASHI Chul-Sa KIM

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.130055, (Released:2013-06-07)

被引用文献数

17

---

We elucidate the mechanism for inducing the production of ovicidal benzyl benzoate by Japonica rice varieties to kill eggs of the whitebacked planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth), lying in the rice plant. Even when subjected to physical damage by a needle or damage with water, the rice plant produced no benzyl benzoate. However, significant benzyl benzoate was produced when the plant was damaged with a methanol extract or homogenate of S. furcifera. The extract of the male did not induce the production of benzyl benzoate, but that of the female did. We concluded from these results that benzyl benzoate was induced by some elicitor(s) in the female of S. furcifera.

著者

Seiji KAWAMOTO Mitsuoki KANEOKE Kayo OHKOUCHI Yuichi AMANO Yuki TAKAOKA Kazunori KUME Tsunehiro AKI Susumu YAMASHITA Ken-ichi WATANABE Motoni KADOWAKI Dai HIRATA Kazuhisa ONO

出版者

(社)日本農芸化学会

雑誌

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (ISSN:09168451)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.75, no.1, pp.140-144, 2011-01-23 (Released:2011-01-23)

参考文献数

15

被引用文献数

22

---

We tested the effect of oral administration of fermented sake lees with lactic acid bacteria (FESLAB) on a murine model of allergic rhinitis upon immunization and nasal sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). We used Lactobacillus paracasei NPSRIk-4 (isolated from sake lees), and L. brevis NPSRIv-8 (from fermented milk) as starter strains to produce the FESLAB. Oral FESLAB administration resulted in the development of significantly fewer sneezing symptoms than those seen in sham control animals given sterile water. We also found that FESLAB suppressed the allergen-induced degranulation of RBL2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells.